Ellery Designs

Decor, Design & DIY

Fabric Garland Tutorial

Some of you may have seen my new obsession with making fabric garlands via Facebook. Here are a few I’ve made for a few photography shoots 🙂 I just can’t get enough. They cheer up a photo in an instant and are super easy to make once you get the hang of it. I even made one to act as a window valance in our living room – the possibilities are endless.

Here’s the scoop. Depending on how many different colors of fabric you use depends on how much you get. I typically get a 1/2 yard of five different pieces of fabric. Obviously the more patterned fabric you buy, the more expensive. The pink and silver one I made was a bit more pricey compared to my solid color bright garland I made for my daughter’s birthday party.

I’m sure there is an easier way to do this but I literally lay the fabric flat (and still folded once) and cut roughly 1-2 inch strips. (I actually hand-cut using scissors b/c I think it’s just as quick than using a rotary cutter and mat). Cut all of your fabric first and then go to town tying it around a 15 ft. rope ribbon found at Hobby Lobby. You can see by looking at the above photos that I use different techniques. The pink and silver one I literally tied them around in a knot and it definitely doesn’t look perfect, but I kind of like the messy look sometimes. The bright one I made for Cami’s party I did the “pull the two bottom ends over the top though the loop” technique to get a very fresh and clean feel.

Please share your fabric garlands with me if you decide to make one! I’d love to see them. I’m currently working on a few garlands for a construction party + nautical party so stay tuned! XOXO, m 

Linking up to: Whipperberry

New: Try Me Thursday’s

Thursday is one of my favorite days of the week so I thought why not do something fun. I’m going to do a “Try Me Thursday” series  – every Thursday I’ll be answering a question from YOU. It doesn’t have to necessarily be a question – can be anything from weddings to parties to anything your little heart wonders 🙂
Today I’ll go with one I get asked quite often, “What is your favorite thing to work on/design?”
Such a hard question b/c I started my business doing only weddings and now I create anything from showers to parties and everything in between. I honestly love it all but the one I probably enjoy designing the most is Birth Announcements. Nothing sweeter than a new baby + newborn photos are always SO precious. 


Here are a few of my favorites {all available to purchase in my etsy shop}.

So what do you want to learn, know, wonder, etc. Try me. 🙂 Leave a comment on the blog, shoot me an email or leave a FB comment and maybe it’ll be next Thursday’s topic! XO, m

Curious Cami’s 3rd Birthday Party

“When everyday is so glorious! And everything is so wonderous. You’re curious, like Curious Cami!” Or maybe it’s George, but for fun we’re going with Curious Cami since it just sounds cute 🙂 “George” is her fave. Over the holidays, there was a marathon on PBS Kids of all three Curious George movies and good thing I recorded them – pretty sure she’s watched them a hundred times since then. I have to admit, it’s one of the few kids shows I really enjoy watching.
{THE INVITATION}

I created Cami’s invite several months ago and that’s where it all began. If you’ve seen my other parties you know I love BRIGHT colors. This is definitely not your typical Curious George party – I wanted to do a fun, modern + girlie spin on it since most of the Curious George parties I’ve seen are for boys. Chevron was the main pattern used throughout and the fabulous Jessica of Pen N’ Paperflowers designed the adorable little monkey! Read more about the invitation I created from my blog post right here.

{FASHION}

Gosh, was Cami’s little get-up ever CUTE. The amazing Rachel of *golden* created the most adorable tee, as always! Her work is pure genius. My friend Amy of AMK’s Boutique made her pretty matching headband and the super cute custom necklace from Miss CoCo Designs was perfect! I found the adorable yellow skirt in San Diego back in AUGUST at the Queen Bee Market. I know, I’m one of those that totally shops for deals and steals EARLY. I saw a pair of polka dot leg warmers at a local craft show with all the colors in the scheme I was thinking. That’s when the color red came into play. Back when I first started planning, I was going with aqua and yellow and add in some pink and lime – but when I saw them I even said, I really like these except I’m not doing red. And then my mind started in and I was like, oooh RED. I need to use red. How can I not – it’s even one of the main Curious George colors. And the rest is history 🙂

{THE SWEETS TABLE}
I used the same yellow fabric from Cami’s Elmo party last year for the table and also reused the red + white chevron table runner from Cami’s Valentine’s Playdate made by the very talented Nancy of A to Zebra Celebrations. I’m all about using things from past parties! Did I want the table to be aqua instead of yellow? Um, yeah. But really, why spend the money when yellow works just fine.
I scored all of the matching table cloths, plates, napkins, utensils, plastic dessert trays, etc. last year from Party City on clearance. As for the dessert table, it was perfect thanks to all the incredible ladies who are beyond talented in the baking department. Kelly of Lillycakes made the adorable cake pops, mini cupcakes, banana creme dessert cups and mini cherry pies. The adorable + glittery monkey cookies were made by the talented Allyson Jane. The chevron pattern, yellow hats, banana’s and Curious Cami cookies made by Flourish Sweet Shop were fabulous and a big hit.
Isn’t the cake just beautiful? So simple, yet perfect. I saw a sample quilted cake very similar in Paige’s {Polka Dot Bakery} portfolio except wanted her to make all the little dots in the color scheme and it turned out awesome! The glittery “Curious Cami” billboard handmade by the talented Kristy of The Purple Pug is just too cute for words. I ended up taking one of the monkey’s off the cake pops and placed it on the cake 🙂 I added the thin red rope ribbon on the cake right before the party started {just goes to show how crazy I am with details}. I also adore the hand-painted chevron Camryn plate made by Aedriel Originals on etsy. It’s displayed in her room now 🙂
The tree my hubby handmade was so AWESOME. He totally rocks and loves helping make + create new things for her parties. Totally a last minute addition but he ROCKED it and it was a big focal point above the table. He also made the red monkey signs seen on the sides of the table and spray painted the mason jars that held matching tulips. Those funky stands that hold up the dessert trays were found at Hobby Lobby on clearance, which he also spray painted. We love our spray paint 🙂
I’ve had my eye on wanting to purchase Blumeboxes for awhile now, but wanted to use them for something other than the norm, so I added tissue poms I already had from past parties on top for a fun flower-like look on the mantle. I made the DIY fabric garland using the five alternating colors for only $9. Love how it’s so simple yet adds so much to the backdrop. I purchased the adorable ornate picture frame also seen on the mantle from Poppy Tree Frames.
The kids are all a bit too young to have any fun games but they all definitely enjoyed the balloons as we got a few pictures of them in front of the table before they were off playing with toys 🙂
Without further adieu, here are the beautiful photos taken by Ellie Piper of Photography Studio 37. I will say it over and over again, she always makes my tablescapes look way better than they actually are. She’s beyond talented and oh so sweet.

Happy Birthday, Camryn Jolee! Can’t believe you are THREE. We love you more than words can express and we had so much fun planning your “George” party. The smile on your face + you being so excited to have all your favorite people in one room is what it’s all about. Cami’s favorite part? When we all sang Happy Birthday to her, as you can clearly tell in the below picture. LOVE. Or that shiny new Camero my sister’s got her was pretty cool too 🙂


Vendor Credits

 All Paper Products, Custom Sign + Styling: I DO invitations by michelle
Photography: Ellie Piper of Photography Studio 37
Custom Monkey Shirt + Curious Name Tees: *golden*
 Headband: AMK’s Boutique
Cupcakes/Cake Pops/Desserts: Lillycakes & Desserts
Monkey Cookies: Allyson Jane
 Yellow Hat/Banana/Chevron Cookies: Flourish Sweet Shop
Cake: Polka Dot Bakery
“Curious Cami” Cake Billboard: The Purple Pug

Hand Painted Chevron Name Plate: Aedriel Originals
Chevron Pennant Banner: Paisley Handmade
Red Chevron Table Runner: A to Zebra Celebrations
Chevron Spoons/Balloons/Chevron Treat Bags/Striped Straws: Shop Sweet Lulu
Gumballs/Tubes: Polka Dot Market
Flowers: Town & Country Gardens
Tissue Flower Poms: PomLove
Boxes {holding Poms}: Blumebox
Large Frame with Cami’s Photo: Poppy Tree Frames
DIY Ribbon Wreath + Fabric Garland: I DO invitations by michelle

800 Etsy Sales

Wow! I posted this last night on Facebook, but I really can’t believe I’ve reached 800 sales in my etsy shop! So exciting – my fans and clients are simply the best! Thank you for letting me help make your biggest moments a little more special 🙂
 {above image via Tessyla on etsy}
 To celebrate – I’m offering 15% off in my etsy shop thru Sunday. Use discount code 800SALES at checkout. Visit my etsy shop here.Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Once I reach 1,000 there will be a HUGE flash sale so here’s to 200 more sales! Cheers, m

3rd Birthday Party = Success!

Curious Cami’s 3rd Birthday Party was this past weekend and it was a success – we had one happy little girl on our hands surrounded by her closest family + friends. I’ll have a full post with all the details soon but wanted to share a few sneak peeks with you 🙂 I know these are big peeks but it’s no secret we had a party so why not share with my fab readers?! 🙂 A huge thank you to my friend Ellie of Photography Studio 37 for capturing these amazing pictures that Cami will surely enjoy looking back on someday!
 {Cake by Polka Dot Bakery, Cake Pops by Lillycakes, Red Chevron Table Runner by A to Zebra Celebrations, Curious Cami Cake Topper by The Purple Pug, Cami’s Tee by *golden*, Headband by AMK’s Boutique + Necklace by Miss CoCo Designs}
{Desserts + Monkey Cake Pops by Lillycakes, Curious Cami Billboard by The Purple Pug}
 {Monkey Cookies by Allyson Jane + Banana’s/Curious Cami Cookies by The Cookie Jar}
{Name plate by Aedriel Originals, Headband by AMK’s Boutique}
I totally love these bright colors together. Made for one bright party 🙂 Thanks so much – hope you enjoyed these peeks. I truly love nothing more than throwing her yearly birthday bash – the smile on her face the whole day was truly magical. XOXO

Easter Photo Shoot

I was so excited when the talented Mary of Emme Elle Photography asked me to make a few things for her Easter Mini Sessions. I just loved Mary’s idea and inspiration of neutrals and burlap with a classic feel. I made the burlap garland banner and the Baby Chicks/Bunny sign. I just LOVE how it all came together! Hop over to her facebook page to see more sneak peeks coming soon!
Here are some pictures she took of my daughter, Cami.

Here are a few more she took of adorable Morgan. Her mom is one of my fabulous clients and let me use a few photos! Thanks, Alicia 🙂

Thanks so much, Mary! Love all the pictures!
**All photos copyright Emme Elle Photography**

My Office Makeover

I really wish I would have taken a before picture of my “office”, if you could even call it that. I was basically working off a card table and had other random items in the room that didn’t match. I knew I wanted to decorate in my logo colors – gray, hot pink and key lime. I had a lot of fun online {aka on etsy} buying various things to make this office ME. I just LOVE how it turned out and it makes me SO happy to work in my new cozy environment. It’s amazing what a little spruce up will do to ya! This is now my happy place.

We had my logo custom framed at Hobby Lobby – love how it turned out.  I used lots of items from past parties that matched my pink + green color scheme to use as little decor pieces. Most of my designs I chose to display of course had to be either pink, green or gray, which wasn’t a problem because I noticed I design a lot of PINK. 🙂
Helpful Links
“Party of 3” Vinyl: The House of Smiths
{I bought the white square frames from Ikea and used glitter paper from Hobby Lobby inside the frames}
“One Girly in the Yard” Print: Brightside Designs
{my hubby spray painted an old frame hot pink}
Green & Pink Ornate Frames {seen below framed logo}: Fanciful Frames
All Desks + Bookcases + Pink Chair: Ikea
White Vases w/ fake flowers: Ikea
Zebra Print Chair: Kirkland’s
Pink Subway Art Wood Sign: Words to Live By Signs
Painted Wood Blocks: Bubble Wrapp’d

“You are my Sunshine…” Prints: Paper Llamas

{white bulky frames from Hobby Lobby}

P.S. Isn’t it funny how you find out about and stumble across different vendors and shops? I found out about Brightside Designs from a blog post by The House of Smiths. I found out about Fanciful Frames by the blog post by Laura Winslow Photography with the free printable seen in the glass frame. I found out about the gal who makes the adorable painted wood blocks by a facebook status from Jen at Tatertots & Jello.

Prince Charming Birth Announcement

How fun that I got to design a birth announcement for a little guy born on leap day?! The mama suggested doing a frog theme and I loved the idea and went with it!  What do you think?

This announcement is not just for leap day babies – it can be for any little prince charming! You can purchase the digital file for only $15 in my etsy shop here. XO, m

Spring has Sprung!

My name is Michelle and I kinda stink at blogging! Haha. Sorry for the lack of posts, I’ve been so busy I just can’t seem to find the time to share my latest designs, etc. Good problem to have I guess 🙂 Be on the lookout for some fun new invites and announcements coming soon.

I can’t believe Spring is finally here – actually, it’s felt more like Summer these past few days! We’ve had 80 degree temps here in Chicago! I’ll take it 🙂 I was inspired to create a few Easter photo cards so I whipped up a couple last night! You can purchase the digital file in my etsy shop for ONLY $8. (Normally $15 but since Easter is on April 8th I thought it would be fun to make these super affordable.) SO perfect to either print the 5×7 file from home and mail to your family + friends or simply email them the file 🙂 I promise they will enjoy it 🙂
 {above photo taken by Photos by Vitella}



I’ll be working on a few more designs that I’ll add to the shop this weekend! Feel free to share with your friends – sharing is caring 😉 Happy Spring, all! XO, m

Cami’s 3rd Birthday Invitation Reveal

The big day is approaching…Cami’s 3rd Birthday! The first year she really gets what birthday’s are all about. She keeps asking, “Is it my birthday party yet?”. So cute. It’s funny to me that she remembers some of her 2nd birthday because she’ll see pictures or things I have stored in the basement from her party and say, “Member mom, my Elmo party?”. LOVE.
 When it came to figuring out what the theme was going to be this year, it was a no-brainer. Curious George. Or now known as Curious Cami. 🙂 Pretty sure this was decided last Summer and I ran with it. Cami’s infamous phrase a few months ago was, “What are you doing here?.” Her way of saying what are you doing, but always added in the “here” for some reason. It was the cutest. So she’s a curious little gal + a HUGE Curious George fan…and so it began.
If you know me, the color scheme is always a big thing for me and I don’t like to do the traditional scheme. My original thought was doing the obvious yellow and aqua and throw in some pink and lime for fun. Then I was at a craft show this past Fall and saw a pair of adorable polka dot leg warmers in all of her party colors but they also had some red + brown on them, and I loved how it all looked together…and there you have it. 🙂 I contacted the fabulous Jessica of Pen & Paper Flowers to design a little girly monkey. I love her work and it turned out just perfect! I also knew I wanted to use the popular chevron pattern on the invite to give it a fun and modern feel.

As for the invite, I wanted to do something different than a traditional flat card. So I ordered shimmer red panel pockets. Aren’t they so fun!? Love how they turned out — I mounted the main piece on the front panel and inside the back pocket is a two-sided invite with the info and picture featured on the reverse side. I had the invitation pieces printed on a shimmer white coverstock as well for another girly touch 🙂 Like I mentioned, she is a very curious gal, so I tried to be creative with the invitation and worded the questions with phrases Cami would normally say/ask.

My sister snapped this adorable photo of Cami last month wearing her Curious George hat. I just love it. I added part of the opening theme song verse around the circle – “When everyday is so glorious, then everything is so wonderous..”

I created a matching address wrap and had them printed on a removable sticker paper. My new favorite thing. Address wraps = SO fun and I’m not a even a label person. I’d rather hand-write out envelopes any day over a label for some reason but an address wrap can really spice up an envelope, don’t ‘cha think!?

{above photos taken by Photos by Vitella}

What do you think? I’m kinda in love with it and can’t wait for her party! She’s going to have SO much fun with all of her favorites in one room. And that’s what it’s all about. 🙂 XO, m

#ElleryWear ON SALE NOW!

#ElleryWear ON SALE NOW!

Our Pantry Makeover

Our Pantry Makeover